‘This isn’t about rewards,’ muttered Draig.
‘I know, Cochland. I meant no offence. I am grateful you came, and I know Jace will be too. That is all I meant.’
When they had gathered all the supplies, and filled their packs Senlic picked out two muskets and a pair of pistols, plus powder and shot. Then he allowed both brothers to choose hunting knives. Once they had done so Draig hoisted his pack and moved towards the door.
‘Wait,’ said Senlic. ‘There is something we must speak of.’
‘You can trust us,’ said Draig. ‘Do not concern yourself.’
‘It is not my trust that is lacking, Cochland. I do believe you.’ He sighed. ‘You know the history of Chara and Kaelin?’
‘Aye, he rescued her from the Varlish. Walked into their castle and killed the guards.’
‘Aye, he did. A grand deed it was. They had her though for some time before Kaelin got to her.’
‘What is this about?’ asked Eain.
‘Quiet,’ snapped Draig. ‘You are saying they raped her?’
‘More than that. They beat her, Cochland. They punched and thrashed her, kicked and bit her. It was torture. Their taunts and their vileness damned near broke her spirit. It haunts her still. Always will, I suspect. Now she has a fear of men. A great fear. You understand me? She is about to walk out into the wilderness with the Cochland brothers. By heaven, if I was a woman I wouldn’t have that kind of courage.’
Draig stiffened. ‘You think I would ever . . .’
‘No, I don’t,’ said Senlic. ‘What I am saying is be aware of her fears as you walk together. She is a strong woman. In this one area, though, she is as fragile as an ice crystal come the thaw.’
‘I understand,’ said Draig.
‘I don’t,’ said Eain. ‘And I’m getting damned cold standing here.’
Half an hour later Senlic stood at the farm gate, Patch beside him, and watched as the little group walked out across the snow. Draig was carrying Feargol on his hip, while Eain held two-year-old Jaim. Chara walked just behind them both, a musket cradled in her hands.
‘You’ll be all right, will you?’ Chara had asked him.
‘Aye, I will,’ he had lied.
He waited until they had reached the first crest. His eyes were no longer good enough to see whether Chara or Feargol waved back at him, but he waved anyway. It was around three hours to dusk, and a sunset he knew he would not see.
Senlic Carpenter went back to the main house, and sat waiting, his pistol in his hand.
It had been a good life. He had not changed the world for the better, nor led a Rigante charge against the enemy. He had not sired a dozen tall sons. He would die now, as he had lived most of his life, alone. Yet he was content. Senlic had lived as a Rigante should, loving the land, and holding strong to the clan values of loyalty and courage. He would leave behind no ill will, no seeds of malice or hate to bedevil future generations.
He thought of loading a second pistol, but the vision had been clear. He would have time for one shot before they cut him down.
Actually this was not strictly true, he realized. In the vision he had seen two futures. In the first he had walked away from Ironlatch, and hidden until the riders moved on. He had then seen the eight men hunt down Chara and the others. In the second he did not hide. He saw himself murdered, and then watched as the scene shifted to the High Rigante. There he observed little Jaim clambering on to Call Jace’s lap, Feargol standing close by, his white cap in his hands. Jace reached out to him too, and Feargol had smiled happily.
As he sat at the table, Patch beside him, he wondered why he had been offered such a ridiculous choice.
Was there a Rigante anywhere who would choose the first?
–
CHAPTER SIX
CHARA RING STRUGGLED ON, HER LEGS WEARY. FOR THE LAST HOUR she had carried little Jaim. He was tearful now and cold and hungry. She also sensed his fear. He had never been carried out into such weather before and the biting wind and the wide, empty land frightened him. For the first two hours the hulking Eain had carried the child, but he was close to exhaustion now. Like most thieves Eain was a lazy man, and though he had enormous strength he was short on stamina. Draig too was suffering as they climbed yet another hill.